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Zoo ATtractions

When you visit the Sacramento Zoo, you’re in for a treat! From up-close encounters with amazing and exotic animals, to rides, lush landscaping and hidden art gems, your day is sure to be filled with learning, laughter and a world of exciting experiences!

Tall Wonders of Africa
Look up! Visit our Tall Wonders of Africa exhibit and marvel at our magnificent herd of giraffes – the world’s tallest land mammal. Get up close and personal during a scheduled giraffe encounter – just $5 per encounter. See details below.

Small Wonders of Africa
Take your time and look closely. You don’t want to miss any of the amazing creatures who share our Small Wonders of Africa habitat. From aardvark and bats to primates and a variety of birds, Small Wonders is sure to delight.

Reptile House
Take your time wandering through our Reptile House where the attentive visitor will be treated to all things slithery, scaly, hoppy and crawly. Look carefully and see if you can spot the more than 200 reptiles, amphibians and others who call the Reptile House home.

Big Cat Row
Marvel at their grace and beauty. Listen to them roar. Watch them as they bask in the sunshine. From our pride of African lions, to our majestic Sumatran tiger, snow leopards and jaguars, you’re in for a treat with this opportunity to learn, observe and delight.

Lemurs
Their antics are so entertaining. Their calls, distinctive and often quite loud. Whether you see or hear them first, our three species of lemurs of Madagascar are a zoo visitor favorite for good reason. Spend as much time as you like watching our lemurs explore their habitats, tousle with one another and brachiate overhead.

Aviaries
We love birds! The Sacramento Zoo is home to more than 35 bird species from the smallest crested coua to the largest American white pelican. More than 14 aviaries can be found located throughout our 14-acres. Can you find them all?

And More
Whether it’s watching the antics of our Sumatran orangutans and chimpanzees or appreciating the graceful elegance of our eastern bongos, your time at the Sacramento Zoo is sure to inspire an appreciation for some of the world’s most unique wildlife. We hope you will take your time, enjoy your stay and learn about a different resident every time you visit.

Get up-close-and-personal at the Tall Wonders of Africa giraffe viewing deck!

The cost is $5 per person. You will receive two pieces of giraffe food (a small tree branch called “browse”) and be admitted into the supervised encounter area on the Tall Wonders giraffe viewing deck.

One person per paid ticket may enter the encounter area, so everyone else – get your cameras ready!

Tickets can be purchased at the giraffe deck 5 minutes before the encounters begin.

Giraffe encounters occur daily at 11:45 am and 2 pm and may run for up to 30 minutes.

*Encounters may be canceled for very hot or inclement weather, and are subject to change or cancellation if the giraffes are not approaching the viewing deck on any given day. These amazing creatures are wild animals and we cannot guarantee that they will stick to our schedule. Encounter times may vary seasonally.

What is the giraffe food?
We feed our giraffes branches from acacia, elm and other trees that grow right here at the Sacramento Zoo (branches on which animals feed are referred to as browse). Many zoos use biscuits for encounters, but our giraffes prefer browse.

Can I bring my own food for the giraffes?
No, our giraffes are on a strict diet. What they eat and the amount eaten daily is monitored carefully by our veterinary staff.

Where do I buy the encounter ticket?
Encounter tickets are available at the Tall Wonders giraffe viewing deck starting 5 minutes before the encounters are scheduled to begin. You will be given the giraffe food after you buy your ticket.

Can I use a credit card to purchase my giraffe encounter ticket?
We only accept cash as payment for giraffe encounters at this time. There is an ATM located in the Zoofari Market gift store.

Can I buy my encounter ticket in advance?
As we cannot guarantee the giraffe’s behavior each day, we will only be selling tickets at the Tall Wonders viewing deck 5 minutes before the encounter begins.

Can I find out before my zoo visit if the giraffe encounters are happening on a particular day?
The Tall Wonders deck is open daily for giraffe viewing. Please call 916-808-5888 on the day you plan to visit for updated information on the encounter availability and schedule.

How many pieces of food can I buy? Can I take a group up on the deck?
Because this is a limited opportunity, at this time guests may only purchase one piece of food per person. One person per paid ticket may enter the encounter area.

I am a member. Do I get a discount or special feeding time?
This limited experience is available to all of our guests and members at the same price and times.

Can children feed the giraffes?
Absolutely! As with any animal encounter, we recommend that children wash their hands immediately after interacting with our giraffes; giraffe tongues can be very sticky!

What if the giraffes do not come over to the Tall Wonder viewing deck?
As these are wild animals, we cannot guarantee that they will want to eat according to our schedule. If you have already paid for your encounter and the giraffes do not come to the deck, we will grant a refund.

Can a stroller or wheelchair go up on the Tall Wonders viewing deck?
Yes. The deck is fully ADA compliant and stroller parking is also available.

Do the giraffes bite?
They sometimes lick but are not likely to bite.

Can I get germs or get sick?
All animals have germs in their mouths. Giraffes have no special germs of concern. We ask that all guests use hand sanitizer (available at the encounter area) after they feed the giraffes.

Can I take pictures?
Absolutely! However, the person taking the photo must stand outside the encounter area.

Can I touch/pet the giraffes?
No, the giraffes are not pets and we want to respect them. Giraffes do not enjoy being touched and it may startle them.

What if I have a large group? Can each member of the group participate if they buy the special food item?
Absolutely, as long as the group does not exceed 50 people and all members are present. However, encounters are available on a first come, first served basis.

In addition to a portion of every zoo admission, $.25 of each ride ticket goes toward our global conservation efforts.

Conservation Carousel
Find your favorite animal and get ready to ride! Each of the 32 animals on the Conservation Carousel is carved from wood and painted by hand with incredible detail to create a truly unique piece. Carousel animals include an anteater, flamingo, jaguar, ladybug, dung beetle and many more. Each ride is $3.

Kilimanjaro Climb
Climb to new heights on the Sacramento Zoo’s newest activity – the Kilimanjaro Climb! Top off your zoo visit with a trek up the mountain – just $5 for two climbs. Climbers must be between 45 lbs. and 250 lbs.

Serengeti Cyclone
Step into the wilds of the Serengeti and experience the rush of the wind while your friends watch your hair stand on end! The cyclone is $2.

A stroll through the Sacramento Zoo offers an array of wildlife art. Use this map for your self-guided tour of our unique and beautiful collection. Not only will you be amazed at the variety and scope of what the zoo has to offer, you may also discover some pathways through the zoo you’ve never seen before!

After a visit to the Sacramento Zoo, make sure to check out our neighbors in William Land Park. Other fun attractions await your family, or simply enjoy the park’s walking paths, picnic areas and baseball fields.